90s Shoes That Will Never Go Out Of Style

There is a certain stereotype about women and shoes — namely, that we love them a little too much. That no matter how many pairs we have, it never seems to be enough. As Carrie Bradshaw, one of TV's most infamous shoe lovers, once said, "I've spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!" 

Whether you're a shoe obsessive or not, there's always something exciting about a new pair — especially a pair that never goes out of style. While shoe trends come and go, there are some that always seem to be filling the shelves and the streets. In honor of the '90s fashion renaissance, we've decided to take a look back at some of the most popular shoe styles of the decade. So, without further ado, here are the '90s shoe styles that will never go out of style.

Another chunky '90s alternative to a classic style is the chunky loafer. While the classic flat loafer can look a little too corporate, the chunky loafer is a funkier style that adds a little drama to an iconic look. 

The look first skyrocketed to popularity in the '90s when every girl seemed to have a chunky loafer in her closet. Now, the statement look is back. As Glamour noted, designers like GANNI, Alexander McQueen, and Mango are all selling chunky loafers right now. And, at the 2022 London Fashion Week, everyone seemed to be wearing chunky loafers with oversized blazers and wide-leg trousers. 

According to You Magazine, the chunky loafer has slowly been coming back into style over the past few years, thanks to Prada. In fact, there was a reported 2000% increase in searches for loafers in 2020 alone. It sounds like this is one '90s trend that isn't going anywhere.

Few shoe looks scream the '90s more than the square-toed sandal with a large square heel. One look at these shoes, and you'll probably have flashbacks to Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. While these sandals may initially look a little dated, they are still very much on trend. 

According to Elite Daily, the sandals made a significant comeback in 2020, with Bottega Veneta's iconic pair causing quite the storm. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber all jumped aboard the trend. 

These slip-on sandals are perfect for transitioning from day to night during the summer. Pair them with your favorite jeans and a baggy shirt in the day, or throw them on with a little black dress and a clutch bag in the evening for a going-out look. To really pay homage to the '90s version of the look, we recommend searching for a pair with a shorter one or two-inch heel that is wide and square at the bottom.

Yes, it's another platform shoe — we told you, the '90s were all about adding height to your shoes with towering platforms! This time, we're talking about the platform clog — with studs, of course. This bold shoe look may not be classically attractive, but it's certainly a look. Platform clogs first came to prominence in the '90s, and in 2021, they came back in full swing, with designers like Khaite, Isabel Marant, and Gucci all releasing updated platform clogs in their collections (via The Zoe Report).

To really nail the classic '90s look, aim for super high platforms — the chunkier, the better — and bold studs around the edge of the shoe. In other words, avoid subtlety at all costs. For instance, you could try these studded Chanel clogs with brown leather from 2010 or these Gucci Adidas clogs if you're keen to try the look for yourself.

There was a time when the Birkenstock was considered a serious fashion faux pas reserved only for out-of-touch dads and uncles. However, thanks to a resurgence in popularity of the ugly shoe in the fashion world, the infamous sandal with the cork sole and the double leather straps is officially back on trend. 

According to Vogue, the '90s trend of wearing Birkenstocks had become so popular by 2016 that fashion editors were even wearing them to work. And according to CNBC, sales of the famous Birkenstock sandal were going up, too. In 2019, for instance, sales rose by 140% at Nordstrom and 171% at Zappos in just three months. 

While the '90s saw some experimental Birkenstocks hitting the shelves, such as Narciso Rodriguez's cashmere Birkenstocks, these days, the classic Arizona sandals are all the rage. Whether you want to wear them with a sundress in the summer or you sport them with a pair of chunky socks and sweatpants in the winter, you can rest assured that Birkenstocks are still just as fashionable as ever. 

While the '90s was undoubtedly a decade of platform shoes and heels, it was also a decade defined by the dad sneaker. On low-key days, everyone threw on a pair of chunky sneakers and mom jeans. And one of the go-to styles was the Nike Air Max 90. The Air Max featured a bouncy sole filled with air pockets and a simple block color design punctuated by the classic Nike tick. 

It seems that the Air Max sneakers are still going strong. The likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Rihanna, Rita Ora, and Zendaya have all been spotted in their Air Max sneakers in the past few years.

If you're looking for the perfect throwback shoe for those lazy weekend days or those long-haul flights, Nike Air Max 90 is definitely the best way to go. Not only are these shoes undeniably comfortable, it's pretty clear that they're just as trendy as ever.

Knee-high heeled boots were all the rage in the '90s. You probably remember that episode of "Friends" when Monica bought a very expensive pair of boots and then proceeded to wear them even though they destroyed her feet (via YouTube). Naturally, those boots featured a pointed toe and a devastatingly high stiletto heel. As it turns out, this style is back in fashion. As Tiffany Hsu of MyTheresa told Who What Wear in 2022, "The midcalf and the knee-high boot is going to be bigger than ever, with designers focusing on this height and less on the ankle boot. The key trend from this was the boots worn under midi skirts, especially in bright ways."

As Gianna Nucci, a New York-based stylist, told Today in 2022, there are plenty of ways to wear knee-high heeled boots. "Maybe you have a lot of walking on your commute, so you would need a more durable style that's also comfortable," said Nucci. She warned there are "a lot of cute winter boots that aren't functional for rain and snow, so you want to be sure you're not just buying off aesthetic." Nucci suggested pairing your knee-high boots with leggings and a thick sweater or with skinny jeans and a jacket.

Cinderella who? Enter the clear mules, the '90s answer to the glass slipper. In the '90s, clear mules made of see-through plastic burst onto the scene. They popped up in nightclubs, on the streets, on our screens, and in pop concerts. 

While you may initially think these shoes look just a little tacky, they're actually incredibly easy to style as they go with everything. Plus, as Who What Wear pointed out, they add loads of length to your legs. With brands like Yeezy, Manolo Blahnik, and Alexander Wang all coming out with their own version of the '90s trend, it's safe to say that this look is definitely in. And, as Glamour noted, even Hollywood A-Lister Margot Robbie has hopped aboard this shoe trend, pairing her see-through heels with an all-white Gucci outfit. Kim Kardashian also has a pair of clear Yeezys, while Kirsten Dunst has a pair of strappy PVC Ferragamo sandals for red carpets. Consider us seriously inspired!